Why E?

[big rumbly]

Question raised at the pub last night. as an ex Elan owner, I was talking to another Lotus enthusiast, and we wondered why all Loti ( apart from 7's and the 340R)Are all E's. Elise, Elan, Eclat, Esprit, Europa, Exige. Pub Quiz type stuff, maybe just a coincidence, anybody know otherwise?
(and of course now. Ecos)
Regards
Big Rumbly

[Bonce]

Because Colin knew that in the future E would be synonymous with an increase in heart rate, cause sweating and a feeling of euphoria.
Or perhaps not.

Good question though!

Bonce


>> Edited by Bonce on Friday 8th March 11:31

[marki]

re-Elise
The Italian bloke who used to run - own Lotus , it was his niece`s name , dont know about the others

[adrianr]

I don't know, but my guess would be it stems from when they brought out the Eleven. Up till then cars were the Lotus MkI, MkII, MkIII etc, but I guess they didn't want "11" getting confused with "II" so they wrote it out in script, and it happens to start with E?

AdrianR

>> Edited by adrianr on Friday 8th March 12:30

[thom]

Maybe Chapman was even more ahead of his time than we all expected: e-cars?

[ErnestM]

Well, in case they ever run out of names, here are some suggestions:

Ether - Car that Lotus swears they will buid but really isn't there

Entrail - Further refinement of the 340R. No body panels just an exposed motor and a chair

Epoch - Limited build car. Available only for 6 months

Ego - Looks great but powered by a 100 hp Honda engine. For badge lovers only

Egress - Fastest Lotus ever. Can usually only see the tail lights

Expunge - Automatically resets the ECU every time you turn it off



ErnestM
(too much time on my hands. Is it Friday yet?)

[currymonster]

ErnestM, you forgot 'Effete': a car that (and I'm putting on my flame proof trousers) looks even more girly than the Elise.

[lotire]

any suggestions for Edith

[Lawrence1]

In December 1974, Giugiaro (the Esprit designer) wanted to call the Esprit 'Kiwi" on account of its long pointed nose, but was thought not to suit the English speaking and shoe polishing world, and the car had to begin with 'E'.
Who really knows why?? Similar situation with Lamborghini with their 'bull' names for their cars . quoted from Bob Wallace (yet another good New Zealander!), it was something dreamed up by the PR department - perhaps Lotus was thinking the same way.

[clarky5150]

According to a book ive got the Eleven theory is bang on. Apparently Chapman liked the sound of the 'Lotus Eleven' name he decreed all thereafter to be E's .......... I'll get me' coat.